Strut tower brace opinions, please

[RBade]

I'm going to either make or purchase a set of strut tower braces. Anyone have an opinion about store bought types [I'm not considering the GM version, as inexpensive as they may be]? Thanks!

 

[jthomas68]

I`m a bit confused by what you`re refering to with the "store bought types".You can`t buy any braces to fit the SHO in a store.They only options are the SHO Shop braces,or ours.We are also the ONLY supplier of Gen III bars.Our Gen I/II braces are $100ea,or $180 for both.You can check prices at www.shoshop.com to compare.Pictures are in this section somewhere.

 

[luigisho]

Those aren't the only options. I see Tim Dahm's around from time to time.

 

[jthomas68]

Gotcha,you are right.SS bars and my bars are the only mass produced ones available.Knowing Tim` sreputation,i`d have to say his braces are good quality,just not as readily available.Plus ours come in a variety of colors.

 

[SHOZ123]

I would think anything is an improvement over nothing. As long as the brace does not loosen or collapse you are getting some good out of it.

 

[Bizzy]

• <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">GM bars = A little stiffness and tighten the front a bit, but not really to push the car very hard. Noticable, but not for really pushin the car as they do flex. I have one of these on the front of my 95 SE.
• <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Tim Dahm's Bars = Look good but I had questions about the aluminum tubing. They have a really nice mounting plate, and having talked to Tim a bit about an LPM i got from him he surely seems to be a stand up kind of guy. I don't have any experience with his so I can't really say.
• <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Bob Gervais/JT's Bars = I have these front and rear, on my SHO and I like them, they are very strong and for the price they can't be beat. Mine were $90 each but I did buy them both at the same time. They are about the same as the SHOshop ones at a little better price. Tublar Steel I believe, and the heaviest part is thier plates which is kind of thick steel. I think they could go with a thinner steel plate, but I'm not complaining cause I love them.

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<small>[ March 08, 2003, 11:56 AM: Message edited by: netviper ]</small>

 

[jthomas68]

Hey,i designed those plates! Honestly,because the vertical "ears" for the rod ends to bolt to are welded on,i wouldn`t go any thinner on teh plate.

 

[cRaZySHO.]

I have never seen or driven a car with JT's bars, so I can't say whether they are good or not. Nor will I knock them.

I love my SHOShop bars. The front doesn't make as big a difference as the rear does. But once both are on there, there is a noticable difference.

 

[Bizzy]

rear bars make so much more of a difference than the front ones that it isn't even funny.

I know you designed them Jeremy, and they work good. I was just posted my only one complaint with them if you can really call it that at all. Though the thickness of the plate does lead to me not being able to get the strutmount nuts on top very far down the studs there. But all in all I have checked them 2 times and they haven't loosened at all.

 

[jthomas68]

All the braces available don`t leave a TON of threads left for the strut studs.Ours aren`t especially thick,the studs just aren`t very long.

 

[Bob Gervais]

3/16" Thick, SHOshop I believe uses the same plate thickness. Also, for welding purposes, lik JT said, that is the thinnest I would go.

 

[skippie]

Where can I find the GM braces at? I would like to get a set for my car. thumbs_u